Every Friday for the past five years a group of women get together at Cedar Rail Family Campground in Scone to make quilts for the homeless and lap covers for nursing home residents—and any leftover material does not go to waste.

The extra material is put together to make pet beds, which are now mainly donated to Angel Arms Rescue For Pets, a fully volunteer run non-profit organization based in Hanover.

Delores Colwell, who is part of the quilting group, said she got the idea of making pet beds during a vacation to Florida where she met a lady who makes them there.

The local group originally made all pet bed donations to local veterinary clinics, but last year decided to give the majority to Angel Arms Rescue, while continuing to give some to the veterinary clinics.

Last year the group donated more than 200 pet beds and Colwell said they are well on their way to that mark again this year.

She added the grandchildren of the quilters also assist with the pet beds work and donations during the summer months.

Thankful for the pet bed donations is Angel Arms Rescue co-ordinator Kathy Dunn, who said the beds make the adoption process a little easier for the animals.

“Each foster dog gets a bed and it helps with the transition to their new home because it’s a familiar smell,” Dunn said. “Having support from people who support rescue and spread the word means a lot.”

Angels Arms Rescue is dedicated to saving the lives of cats and dogs in need. Every animal they rescue receives professional veterinary care, and is vaccinated, spayed/neutered and microchipped.

Angels Arms Rescue does not have a shelter as cats and dogs are assigned a foster home until a forever home is found.

Foster homes are all over southwestern Ontario, including as far away as London and Toronto.

“We’re always looking for foster homes, especially for cats,” Dunn said, “A lot of people like the foster home idea over the shelter.”

Some cats up for adoption are available for viewing at Pet Valu in Hanover and Dunn said this is great for exposure as a potential owner can interact with the cat instead of just seeing photos online.

Pet Valu also donates food and litter to Angel Arms Rescue and the store contains a donation bin the public can make donations to.

Despite being based in Hanover for five years, Dunn is always surprised when she finds out people don’t know the local rescue exists. The group has helped many families adopt a pet in the Grey-Bruce area and in the last few years have expanded to join a satellite office in Toronto.

The group also works closely with a group in South Korea, and has dubbed this venture the Korean Dog Project. Together they are helping rescue dogs in mills and in the meat trade industry. Dogs are then flown to Ontario when funding permits.

Dunn said there is a great need for the rescue in this area as she receives about 10 email inquiries a day with people notifying her of found cats or dogs and with people wanting to adopt.

There are currently 25 cats and eight dogs available to adopt. Dogs cost $350 and cats are $150.

Dunn has been a part of rescuing animals for a long time, and she enjoys being able to help them find a good home.

“There’s no better feeling in the world than making that connection,” Dunn said. “I love being a matchmaker.”

Since the group is 100 per cent funded by donations and fundraising events, Dunn said they are grateful for the rescue rates they receive from the North Wellington Animal Hospital in Mount Forest and the Bay Cat Hospital in Toronto.

Angel Arms Rescue will be having fundraising events the next two weekends in Hanover where the public can donate and learn more about the group.

On Saturday, Aug. 5 they are having a barbecue from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the M&M Food Market parking lot.

The following weekend on Aug. 12 and 13 Angel Arms Rescue will have a food booth set up at the Hanover, Bentinck & Brant Fall Fair.

Additional information about Angel Arms can be found online at angelarmsrescue.com, or email angelarmsrescue@gmail.com.